Bengals aren't division champs yet

[Steelboy84]

Originally Posted by Angus Burgher

I think that the Bengals will end up being this year's version of the 2008 Tennessee Titans. A team that started out really strong and capitalized on a few bad games by the usual division leader, due mostly to player health issues.

By the end of the season, the Bengals WILL lose a few more games and will choke in the playoffs. The Steelers will make the playoffs, one way or the other, and WON'T choke, at least not in the first round.

This time next year? Same old Bungles. I guarantee it.

Yep, they're nothing but a fluke just like Dallas.

I can see them losing at SD, at, NYJ, and at MN. I see them with at least 5-6 losses before season's end.

Pittsburgh will go 12-4 or 13-3 with the division title.

Here's hoping.

[BlastFurnace]

I don't think they are a fluke this year guys. They beat us twice. They have always had talent, they just never put it together like they have this year.

[Angus Burgher]

Yeah, it's still way to early to predict this crap.

Remember last year when the Bronocos were headed to the playoffs? And the Patriots were going to make it even WITHOUT THE GREAT TOM BRADY?

In my humble opinion, people are jumping on the Bungle Bandwagon and are ignoring that this team has only had a few games were it was legitimately dominant. I guess you could say the same for last year's Steelers, but at least the Steelers have consecutively proven themselves to be a playoff staple. The Bengals? Yeah, they've made it once in 18 years. Not exactly a juggernaut.

And people can go on about "Oh, if Palmer wasn't injured in 2005" all they want. The Steelers already beat him once that year. They beat him again in one of the 2006 matchups (when Ben was recovering from two surgeries). They beat him twice in 2007. Last year he was injured again. This year, yeah he was clutch in the first game and he did win it for them. The last game? If you think Palmer or Ochosphincter were the deciding factor in that game, then you clearly weren't watching the same game that I was.

[Dino 6 Rings]

Is this the same Bengals team that also lost to Houston at home? Just checking.

See how they handle success, see if they beat the teams they are supposed to beat.

We can only focus on what we need to do, which is beat Kansas City this weekend (I'm in section 343) HERE WE GO STEELERS HERE WE GO!

[Giovanni]

I am still not sold on the Bengals. Realizing that I am a Steeler fan with difficulty giving the opponent any credit, I just cannot see them making any noise in the playoffs. Lets face it, the Steelers gave away the first game; Ben throwing a pick 6, Limas dropping a sure touchdown, and playing a loose defense on the final drive and failing to stop two 4th and long plays, the last of which was beyond pathetic.

Not that the Bungles don't play us tough. Our division games are never automatically counted in the win column even if the opponent has a poor record. Ben played his worst game of the season on Sunday. Still, Santonio failed to pull in a perfect Ben pass for a touchdown which could have made the difference in this game. Santonio has been plagued by drops and miscues this season. The defense played very well and they seem to be back in form despite the injuries. Still, they lost this game for a number of reasons. Once again, Arians played the fool. Where was the 'no huddle' or the 'muddle' to get some rythm to the offense. Ben seems to make better play call decisions than Arians in the no huddle offense because Ben calls those plays himself.

To say the least, it was a frustrating game. Clearly the offense and a special teams blunder cost us this one. The Bungles played hard. But I do not believe they are a better team. With that said, I really cannot see how the Steelers can win the division with the Bengals schedule. How can they possibly loose to Oakland, Detroit and KC? I can see them losing to Minnesota and San Diego, maybe. But even if that happens the Steelers will have to win out. Can it be done. I suppose it can but lets not count on it happening. I think the Steelers will lose at least 1 more game and the Bengals probably 2. At best we are looking at two 12-4 teams. A wildcard will be hard to swallow with that kind of record and the debacle in Chicago and Cincinnati at the beginning of the season may prove to bite us in our collective asses.

[tomiesteel]

Originally Posted by jaysee

the bengals defense was impressive, they got to ben and didn't allow him to escape the pocket and their db's covered well all game. on the other hand, their offense didn't impress me at all. if we get them again i think we will learn from our mistakes on offense .

i still don't think they are a great team. they are pretty good, they aren't the same old bengals, i think they are one of those teams that could lose to a detroit lions or cleveland browns team but pull off a win against indy.

but i feel like we are a team like that too. i never trust the steelers against a team like oakland or kansas city, we always seem to play up or down to our competition, we need to blow those teams out and hope cinci slips up

let them win the north thats good karma for us. the last time the bengals won the north we won the super bowl

[revefsreleets]

Personally, right now, i hope BOTH teams win out and face each other at the divisional or championship playoff game. NOTHING would revenge the loss Sunday like knocking Cinci out in their house in the playoffs.

In fact, there is no WAY that team can beat the Steelers three times in one year, and I consider a Bengals playoff game the absolute best case scenario for us at this point. i have no fear of the Bengals in spite of losing two straight to them...

[markymarc]

I guarantee if we face them a 3rd time in the playoffs, we show them how to play late season football. We will be just fine come playoff time............the Bungles not so much IMO.

[tube517]

Originally Posted by BlastFurnace

I don't care if we win the division. I just want to get into the playoffs. In today's NFL, that is what matters.

[tube517]

Originally Posted by Giovanni

I am still not sold on the Bengals. Realizing that I am a Steeler fan with difficulty giving the opponent any credit, I just cannot see them making any noise in the playoffs. Lets face it, the Steelers gave away the first game; Ben throwing a pick 6, Limas dropping a sure touchdown, and playing a loose defense on the final drive and failing to stop two 4th and long plays, the last of which was beyond pathetic.

Not that the Bungles don't play us tough. Our division games are never automatically counted in the win column even if the opponent has a poor record. Ben played his worst game of the season on Sunday. Still, Santonio failed to pull in a perfect Ben pass for a touchdown which could have made the difference in this game. Santonio has been plagued by drops and miscues this season. The defense played very well and they seem to be back in form despite the injuries. Still, they lost this game for a number of reasons. Once again, Arians played the fool. Where was the 'no huddle' or the 'muddle' to get some rythm to the offense. Ben seems to make better play call decisions than Arians in the no huddle offense because Ben calls those plays himself.

To say the least, it was a frustrating game. Clearly the offense and a special teams blunder cost us this one. The Bungles played hard. But I do not believe they are a better team. With that said, I really cannot see how the Steelers can win the division with the Bengals schedule. How can they possibly loose to Oakland, Detroit and KC? I can see them losing to Minnesota and San Diego, maybe. But even if that happens the Steelers will have to win out. Can it be done. I suppose it can but lets not count on it happening. I think the Steelers will lose at least 1 more game and the Bengals probably 2. At best we are looking at two 12-4 teams. A wildcard will be hard to swallow with that kind of record and the debacle in Chicago and Cincinnati at the beginning of the season may prove to bite us in our collective asses.

I agree..I am not sold on the Bungles either..they're good but not great.

Ben played like crap and special teams stunk and we were still in the game. I am very confident in this team. Let the haters hate and let the Steeler Nation ride high. I could give a rat's ass what ESPN (steve young, I'm talking to you), The NFL Network (Deion, I'm talking to you) or any other so called expert thinks.